Unhappy childhood can cause adult sickness

March 5th, 2009

Children who are unhappy are more likely to suffer from illness later in life, reports the BBC.

A study led by Kings College London and published in the British Journal of Psychiatry monitored 7,100 people who were born between 1950 and 1955 in and around Aberdeen. The children’s teachers were asked to note their behaviour, moods, and attendance.

When they reached middle age the participants they were asked about their employment status, and 5.5% reported that they were unable to work because of ill health or a permanent disability. Out of those children who’s teachers had described them as “often appearing miserable, unhappy, tearful or distressed”, a quarter of them were disabled or had a long term illness.

However, there was no link between those who suffered from poor physical health when they were younger taking time off sick as adults.

Dr Max Henderson, who led the research, said: “We can’t say these childhood trends cause the ill-health later in life, but they certainly seem to be a contributing factor.Based on previous research, we suspect these groups are more susceptible to depression and anxiety, which of course is a major cause of being off work.”
Read more about the research here…